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Michigan Arthritis Program

The Michigan Arthritis Program (MAP) acts to improve the quality of life among people with arthritis by providing statewide support and infrastructure for implementation, expansion, and coordination of evidence-based self-management and physical activity programs: PATH–Personal Action Toward Health (the Stanford Chronic Disease Self-Management Program) and Enhance®Fitness (EF).

What You Should Know About Arthritis

Arthritis is the leading cause of disability in the United States and it limits the activities of more than one million adults in Michigan.

Arthritis includes more than 100 different rheumatic diseases and conditions, the most common of which is osteoarthritis. Other forms of arthritis that occur often are rheumatoid arthritis, lupus, fibromyalgia, and gout. Symptoms include pain, aching, stiffness, and swelling in or around the joints. For additional information on arthritis, please see the CDC Arthritis page.

Why is Arthritis a Public Health Concern?

Arthritis is a public health concern because:

It is common. A third of Michigan adults have some form of arthritis. Almost half of these are younger than 65, and it is projected that nearly 2.7 million Michigan adults will have arthritis in 2030. (2015 Michigan Behavioral Risk Factor Survey)

It is costly. Osteoarthritis is the most costly condition billed to private insurance in the US, and 42% of working age Michigan adults who have arthritis report that it limits their work.

It can be managed. We know that evidence-based self-management and physical activity programs, such as PATH and EnhanceFitness, can improve the quality of life of people with arthritis.

For a brief overview of arthritis, including its impact on people and society as well as what increases risk and what helps to improve quality of life, view the Michigan Arthritis Fact Sheet.